5 Things to Like About the DC Universe Holiday Special 2009

I'm not a real Christmassy guy, but I can tell good comics from bad, and while I wouldn't say all the stories in this year's DC Christmas Special work (the Huntress story has unforgivable lettering mistakes, for example), most of them do, either as touching moments, or takes on Christmas yarns, or just as comedy. I'm not handing out a prize for getting published in time for Christmas, which these days, is something of a minor miracle, because I'm leaving my snarkiness at the door. Here's only SOME of the stuff to like in this comic.

1. Santa's secret originUsing the Superman myth to explain Santa Claus is a beautiful homage to both iconic figures. Hey, they do both have a North Pole address! Too short! Too short!

2. Classic AquamanSomething of a gift to the fans, and it'd be nice to see a return of the original sea king in the fact that it was written by Dan Didio himself... The story's a bit too close to heresy for comfort, but it's a nice batch of Aquaman hero shots by Ian Churchill.

3. All three Blue BeetlesWho doesn't like Jamie? Who doesn't love Ted? Who doesn't want to see more of the Golden Age Blue Beetle? A great little tale about a three generations of small town crooks who got their clocks cleaned by the Blue Beetle legacy. That's what Christmas is all about!

4. Gotham's Christmas without sirensHope comes to Gotham City for just one day this year. I love how it completely flusters the GCPD. But once that time is up, it's up!

5. The JLA Christmas partySo many moments I could call attention to, like Firestorm molecularly spiking the punch, or the very funny gift exchange, but my favorite moment is shown above, possibly manufactured by artist Kevin Macguire. Seen it yet? It's Red Tornemo having to be pushed onto the dance floor! Perfect!